It’s hard to believe that it was three years ago this week that we stumbled across the street and asked Sonoma Index Tribune Editor David Bolling if he wanted a music column. To our delight, he said “heck yea!” or words to that affect; it’s still kind of blurry. It’s been an honor and a privilege to be associated with the oldest newspaper in California north of the San Francisco Bay and what certainly must be the longest family owned newspaper in the state. When we download this slick word count app from the internet and scanned the column folder, we were surprised as well that we’ve finished five, and are onto our sixth novel. Yes, we get paid to write the column, but much like the terrestrial radio show we did for five years as a volunteer, followed by a year on the internet, the purpose and focus of the column has always been to showcase the local musicians in Sonoma Valley. Folks come here from all over the world to sample our wine, food, cheese, art, amazing sunsets and, as of late, our “Bachelor.” We dare say that our local musicians are as much of the Sonoma wine country experience as any of the rest of that stuff. Thanks to all of you for reading our ramblings and occasional rants, but more importantly, supporting the local Sonoma Valley music scene. With that said, on to the weekends music.
“One Night in Paris” is being presented at the Sebastiani Theatre on Monday, Feb. 13, at 7:30 p.m. Rue Manouche will be performing “Gypsy Jazz and Musette” as part of an evening of music and poetry. The band was founded in San Francisco in 2009 by actor and French blues singer Michel Saga, and guitarist Vic Wong. The band plays music in the style of gypsy swing that was made famous by Jean “Django” Reinhardt in the 1930s. The origin of this style of music is largely French, and they often refer to it as “Jazz Manouche.” Tickets for the show can be purchased at the Sebastiani Theatre box office.
Sheila Whitney will be performing a solo recital called the “Art of Love” on Sunday, Feb. 12, at the Trinity Episcopal Church, starting at 3 p.m. Whitney said “I get to sing beautiful old Italian arias, lovely French art songs by Faure, with pianist Barbara Herrera Hall, original compositions by John Burke, composer and pianist, and to top it all off, some classic mushy Italian love songs accompanied by Phil Amormino on accordion.” All proceeds benefit the friends of music at the church.
Bach is coming to town, at the St. Andrew Presbyterian Church with a series of upcoming shows, starting on Sunday, Feb. 12. Of course we know it’s not the real Johann Sebastian Bach who died in 1750, but the group Sonoma Bach will be presenting the Monteverdi Consort, singing spiritual music in which solfege syllables play a structural and symbolic role. Tickets and more info can be found by pointing your browser to www.sonomabach.org, or by calling 877-914-2224.
Swing Fever, accompanied by vocalist Denise Perrier, will be at the Sonoma Womans Club on Sunday, Feb. 12, for a 4 p.m. show. The band plays witty and romantic tunes from the ‘30s and ‘40s have inspired Swing Fever since 1978. For tickets and more info, call 373-0700.
Tiddle E. Winks will have the vocals of Debra Lee Darling in the retro candy store on Monday, Feb. 13, at 6 p.m. According to the owner Heidi, “what could be more fun than a pin-up girl and a ukulele player?” We’re not sure. There is no cover.
The Ledson Lounge welcomes back Jess Petty and Ken Chambers tonight, Feb. 10, for a 6:30 p.m. show.
The Sonoma Community Center has the Cadillac Converters as part of their Chili Bowl Express event tonight, Feb. 10, kicking off at 5 p.m. For tickets and more info, call 938-4626.
Jack London State Park will be the location for a piano concert on Sunday, Feb. 12, within the “Happy Walls” of the property. Proceeds from the show will benefit Valley of the Moon Natural History Association to further their efforts to operate the park beginning July 1, 2012. The last concert was a sell out, so advance tickets are recommended. For more info, call 938-4827.
Olive & Vine has an amazing show on Sunday, Feb 12, with some big-time regional acts. Valerie Orth and Jimmy Dillon will be taking the stage at 5 p.m. Dillon has toured and recorded extensively, backing up some great artists like John Lee Hooker, Clarence Clemons, and Bruce Springsteen to name a few. Orth is described as “sexy, soulful, genuine, and edgy” by the San Francisco Bay Guardian and the San Francisco Chronicle writes, “There is an honesty to Valerie’s music that is both brilliant and heartbreaking.” In addition to the music, there will be light fare food and beer and wine available.
The Kathmandu Corner welcomes back JMB and the Big O tonight, Feb. 10, for an evening of acoustic rock classics. The duo usually holds court in the classic rock tribute act BackTrax, but will be stepping out tonight. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, the corner welcomes Dierdre Egan and Devra Wolf, also for a 7:30 p.m. show.
Murphy’s Irish Pub has the Tonewoods tonight, Feb. 10, kicking off at 8 p.m. The trio plays a mix of acoustic Americana and British folk songs. Saturday, Feb. 11, it’s Larry Carlin’s Mostly Simply Bluegrass Experience, featuring the Whutknotts, who play a mix of bluegrass, old-time rock and roll and even a little country music. That show also kicks off at 8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12, it’s Sean Carscadden and Marty O’ Reilly for an early show that kicks off at 6:30 p.m. There is no cover for any of the shows at the pub.
Junior Boogie is back in town, and he’s sticking around for a while and has formed a new local band. Boogie has been nominated for best west coast blues harmonica player, and will find out if he’s won on March 25, 2012, at the West Coast Blues Hall of Fame inductee award show held at the Oakland Hilton. His new band includes Matt McDavid on guitar, Chris Adams on bass and a drummer out of Chicago, Raymond Jones. You can catch the new act tonight, Feb. 10, at the El Verano Inn for a no cover show that kicks off at 9:30 p.m.
For the sixth year, the Sonoma Classical Music Society will be bringing the Alexander String Quartet to Sonoma, this time on Feb. 12, at the Vintage House senior center, for a 3 p.m. show. The Quartet will perform three classic works of the quartet repertoire, by Haydn, Beethoven, and Schubert. Tickets may be obtained from the Society’s website, www.sonomaclassical.org, and will be available at the door.
The Plaza Bistro welcomes Wayne DeLa Cruz tonight, Feb. 10, for a 7 p.m. show. Saturday, Feb. 11, the bistro has Steve Lucky and Carman Getit, also for a 7 p.m. show. There is no cover either night.
Gator Beat will be in Calistoga at the Napa County Fairgrounds for the Saints and Sinners Ball on Saturday, Feb. 11, for a 7 p.m. show.
Sean Carscadden and Marty O’Reilly will be in Novato at Ghiringhellis tonight, Feb. 10, for a 10 p.m. show.
The Whiskey Thieves will be in San Francisco at Grant and Green tonight, Feb. 10, for a 10 p.m. show.